Irreversibly Attachable Drinking Straws and Methods of Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

A drinking straw configured to be irreversibly attached to a container lid is provided. Aspects of the drinking straw according to certain embodiments include a proximal end, a distal end and a fastener between the proximal end and the distal end that is configured to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid. Methods for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw to a container lid by inserting the drinking straw through an orifice of the container lid are also provided. Kits having a container lid having an orifice and a drinking straw that irreversibly attaches to the container lid are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), this application claims priority to the filing date of United States Provisional Application Serial No. 62/715,685 filed on Aug. 7, 2018; the disclosure of which application is herein incorporated by reference.

INTRODUCTION

Consumable products such as disposable drinking straws, cups, lids, plates, utensils, disposable cooking thermometers, stir sticks, containers, packaging and other related items that are generally used for in relationship with food preparation, service, cooking, fast food restaurants, convenience stores, quick service restaurants, and the like are pervasive in today's society. Nearly 8 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean every year. The plastic consumable products found in landfills and in the ocean can take decades, sometimes longer, to decompose. Therefore, the negative environmental impact of these plastic products can be long lasting.

In order to reduce the detrimental impact of the disposal of plastic products on the environment, many plastics are recycled, re-used or reprocessed. Plastics are often sorted by polymer type, shredded or pulverized into powder and melted to be used in producing the next generation of plastic product. Over 500 million plastic drinking straws are used each day, but only a miniscule amount of these plastic drinking straws are recycled. Most are disposed of into landfills or become scattered around the environment, such as in the ocean or in lakes and streams.

SUMMARY

A drinking straw configured to be irreversibly attached to a container lid is provided. Aspects of the drinking straw according to certain embodiments include a proximal end, a distal end and a fastener between the proximal end and the distal end that is configured to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to a container lid. Methods for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw to a container lid by inserting the drinking straw through an orifice of the container lid are also provided. Kits having a container lid having an orifice and a drinking straw that irreversibly attaches to the container lid are also described.

In some embodiments, the drinking straw and the container lid are formed from a plastic. In some instances, the drinking straw and the container lid are formed from the same type of plastic, such as a recyclable plastic. For example, the drinking straw and the container lid may be formed from a polycarbonate, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyurethane, a polyether, a polyamide, a polyimide or a copolymer thereof.

In some embodiments, the drinking straw is configured to irreversibly attach to the container lid by deforming the container lid when the drinking straw is inserted through the orifice of the container lid. In some instances, the drinking straw deforms the orifice of the container lid. In certain embodiments, the drinking straw has a width that is greater than the width of the orifice of the container lid. In some embodiments, the drinking straw deforms the shape of the orifice. In other embdoiments, the drinking straw deforms the size of the orifice.

In certain embodiments, the drinking straw includes a fastener positioned between the proximal end and distal end that is configured to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid. In some instances, the fastener is an interlocking fastener. For example, the fastener on the drinking straw may be configured to interlock with a fastener on the container lid. In other instances, the drinking straw includes one or more grooves. In yet other instances, the drinking straw includes one or more notches. In certain instances, the drinking straw includes a screw thread and the straw is screw threaded through the orifice of the container lid. In some embodiments, the position of the fastener is adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw. For example, the drinking straw may include one or more markings for positioning the fastener. In other embodiments, the fastener is co-molded with the drinking straw.

In some instances, the drinking straw includes one or more identifiers. In some embodiments, the identifier is a marking indicating that the drinking straw is recyclable. In other embodiments, the identifier is a marking indicating that the drinking straw is biodegradable. In yet other embodiments, the identifier is a marking indicating that the drinking straw is compostable. In certain embodiments, the identifier is embossed onto the drinking straw. In other embodiments, the identifier is laser ablated into the drinking straw, such as with a laser (e.g., a CO₂ laser) to remove an outer extrusion layer exposing the color of an inner extrusion layer.

Straws and/or lids can be conveniently embossed or marked with the approprate recycling symbol. In either case, the recycling symbol can be embossed, printed, laser marked, stamped, molded, labeled, imaged, or otherwise clearly identified as recyclable. New recyling symbols can be designated and/or markings generated to delineate that the straw-lid pair as a whole are recyclable and/or compostable as a combinational pair when presented togerther or collectively. Embossing, markings, printings, and/or other indications can be clarified to the users, suppliers, recycling centers, and the like of the utility of the straw-lid pair as to its viable entry into the recyling and/or compostable destination.

Similarly, laser ablation of co-extruded straws can be untilized as a simple manufacturing process to rapidly generate recycling symbols on straws where-by a straw can be co-extruded with an inner layer of one color and an outer layer of a second color. CO2 laser ablation can be utilized to remove the ourter extrusion layer exposing the color of the inner extrusion layer and therefore providing a color contrast to generate digital symbol including, but not limited to recycling symbols.

The lid-straw pair can be irreversibly bound together either by straw design characteristics, lid design characteristics, or a the combination of straw and lid characteristics. In addition, a combination of staw and lid and/or straw, straw wrapper and lid can facilitate an irreversible binding of the straw-lid combination such that the combination collectively creates a recyclable or composable pair that is indicated on the combined item.

Further examples include, but are not limited to valve joints, push clamps, compression joints and union joints, quick-release joints, annealing compositions that when placed in contact glue or adhere to each other, elastic compostions that co-slide, but when in place adhere to each other, separated chemical members of a binding pair on the straw vs. lid that when placed on contact with eachother form an adhesive irreversible bond that resists disconnection,

Combinations of physical, adhesive, and/or chemical bonding forces can be employed to facilitate adhesion, co-adhesion, combinations of co-adhesion and adhesion, chemical bonding, mechanical and chemical bonding and adhesion, force and chemical adhesion, interlocking and chemical bonding and the like can be utilized.

In some embodiments, straw and lid compositions are chemically, biologically and environmentally safe for the intended use. Connectivity between the straw and lid should be clearly marked, embossed, and/or indicated as to the pair's utility, disposal, recyling number, and readily documented as to its materials safety and environmentally compatibility regrding composition.

Combined straw-lid pairs can be further structured such that the used pair can be convenietly folded or discarded as an easy to handle condensed article. By way of example, but not limitation, a lid can be thermoformed with demarking lines, striations, paths, folds, grooves or the like where-by the inserted straw-lid pair is readily folded or condensed into a convenient lump or geometry easy to handle by a recyling center.

A ternary grouping of a straw, lid, and cup can further be designed to ensure that the ternary group as a whole can be safely and successfully added to the recyling or composting process. The ternary combination has the advantage of a collective recyling or composting unit that assists/facilitates in simplifying the habits, trends, and routines of consumers, food-service providers, recyclers, composters and the like. By way of example, a recyclable cup can be made with a resin with a lid and straw. Since the cup has a significant area ratio for imprinting, the cup can conveniently be printed with instructions for combining internally a linked lid-staw pair. The instructions can indicate to the user that when finished with use, the straw-lid pair can be convenienbtly inserted into the cup, folded or twisted together and then added to a recyling bin to ensure that the maximum recycling and/or composting process can be deployed for the waste unit.

Aspects of the present disclosure also include methods for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw to a container lid. Methods according to certain embodiments include inserting the drinking straw through an orifice of the container lid in a manner sufficient to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid. In some embodiments, when inserted the drinking straw becomes irreverisibly attached to the orifice walls of the container lid. In these embodiments, inserting the drinking straw deforms the container lid, such as deforming one or more of the size and shape of the orifice of the container lid. For example, methods may include include inserting a drinking straw having a width that is greater than the width of the orifice in the container such that the drinking straw deforms the shape or size of the orifice of the container lid. In other embodiments, the drinking straw includes a fastener that irreversibly attaches the drinking straw to the container lid. For example, inserting the drinking straw into the orifice of the container lid interlocks the fastener of the drinking straw with a fastener on the container lid. In certain instances, methods include screw-threading the drinking straw through the orifice of the container lid. In certain embodiments, methods include adjusting the position of the fastener on the drinking straw and re-positiong the straw to the adjusted position of the fastener.

Aspects of the present disclosure also include methods for marking the drinking straw, such as with an identifier. In some embodiments, methods include marking the drinking straw by embossing or debossing an identifier into the surface of the drinking straw. In other embodiments, methods include marking the drinking straw with a laser. In certain instances, laser marking includes laser ablation, such as by laser ablating an outer layer (e.g., a surface layer) of the drinking straw (e.g., with a CO₂ laser) to expose a contrasting color of an inner layer of the drinking straw. The drinking straw may be marked with an identifier such as indicating that the drinking straw is compostable, recyclable or with an indicator about the type of material (e.g., type of plastic) used to form the drinking straw.

Kits having a container lid and a drinking straw that becomes irreversibly attached to the container lid when inserted into an orifce of the container lid are also provided. In some embodiments, the container lid and drinking straw are provided together in a pouch (e.g., a recyclable or compostable pouch). In certain instances, kits further include instructions (e.g., on a recyclable or compostable piece of paper) for irreversibly attaching the drinking straw to the container lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-1 D depict drinking straws having protruding fasteners for irreversibly attaching the drinking straw to a container lid according to certain embodiments. FIG. 1A depicts a drinking straw with sandwiching protrusion fasteners. FIG. 1B depicts a drinking straw having spherical protrusion fasteners. FIG. 1C depicts a drinking straw with a fastener having a barb. FIG. 1D depicts a drinking straw having a plurality of ribs which are capable of interlocking with the container lid. FIGS. 1E-1F depict drinking straws having recessed fasteners for irreversibly attaching the drinking straw to a container lid according to certain embodiments. FIG. 1E depicts a drinking straw having recesses which couple to protrusions on the container lid. FIG. 1F depicts a drinking straw having a plurality of peripheral grooves which couple to the walls of the container lid orifice.

FIGS. 2A-2B depict container lids having fasteners for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw according to certain embodiments. FIG. 2A depicts a container lid having two protrusions which extend above the container lid surface that couples to fasteners on the drinking straw. FIG. 2B depicts a container lid having an orifice in which the walls have circular recesses.

FIG. 3 depicts a method for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw to a container lid according to certain embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict methods for attaching a drinking straw to a container lid according to certain embodiments. FIG. 4A depicts inserting a drinking straw having a width that is greater than the width of the container lid orifice. FIG. 4B depicts inserting a drinking straw having a pair of sandwiching fasteners which interlock with the container lid.

FIG. 5 depicts marking the outer surface of a drinking straw according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A drinking straw configured to be irreversibly attached to a container lid is provided. Aspects of the drinking straw according to certain embodiments include a proximal end, a distal end and a fastener between the proximal end and the distal end that is configured to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid. Methods for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw to a container lid by inserting the drinking straw through an orifice of the container lid are also provided. Kits having a container lid having an orifice and a drinking straw that irreversibly attaches to the container lid are also described.

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

Certain ranges are presented herein with numerical values being preceded by the term “about.” The term “about” is used herein to provide literal support for the exact number that it precedes, as well as a number that is near to or approximately the number that the term precedes. In determining whether a number is near to or approximately a specifically recited number, the near or approximating unrecited number may be a number which, in the context in which it is presented, provides the substantial equivalent of the specifically recited number.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, representative illustrative methods and materials are now described.

All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

It is noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 U.S.C. § 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 U.S.C. § 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 U.S.C. § 112.

As summarized above, the present disclosure provides a drinking straw that is configured to be irreversibly attached to a container lid. In further describing embodiments of the disclosure, drinking straws that irreversibly attach to a container lid when inserted through an orifice of the container lid are first described in greater detail. Next, methods for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw to a container lid are described. Methods for marking the drinking straw, e.g., with an identifier are described. Kits, including a container lid having an orifice and a drinking straw that irreversibly attaches to the container lid when inserted through the orifice are also provided.

Irreversibly Attachable Drinking Straws

As summarized above, a drinking straw configured to irreversibly attach to a container lid is provided. The phrase “irreversibly attached” is used herein in its conventional sense to mean that the drinking straw cannot be freely detached and separated from the container lid. In some embodiment, the drinking straw and container lid are attached in such a manner that in order to separate the drinking straw from the container lid, substantial deformation or destruction of one or both of the drinking straw and container lid is required. In certain instances, once inserted into the orifice of the container lid, the drinking straw is permanently attached to the container lid and destruction of the drinking straw or container lid is required to separate the drinking straw from the container lid.

As described in greater detail below, in some embodiments the subject drinking straws and container lids are recyclable. The term “recyclable” is used herein in its conventional sense to refer to reprocessing of the drinking straw and container lid, including, chemical processing, washing as well as processes where the drinking straw and container lid are cut, shredded or pulverized and melted to reform a material for susbequent production. In these embodiments, inserting the drinking straw into an orifice of the container lid forms a single integrated unit where the combined drinking straw and container lid are recyclable. In some instances, the drinking straw and container lid are formed from the same material, such as the same type of plastic (e.g., polypropylene) and are recyclable because they do not require separation (e.g., sorting) before recycling. In certain instances, the container lid includes a marking indicating that the container lid is recyclable and inserting the drinking straw to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid forms a single integrated unit that is recyclable. In other instances, the drinking straw includes a marking indicating that the drinking straw is recyclable and inserting the drinking straw to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid forms a single integrated unit that is recyclable. In still other instances, a container includes a marking indicating that the container is recyclable and a container lid having an irreversibly attached drinking draw is attached to the container to form a single integrated unit that is recyclable. As described in greater detail below, in certain embodiments, the marking is embossed or debossed onto the drinking straw. In other embodiments, the marking is applied with a laser (e.g., a CO2 ablating laser) by ablating one or more layers of the drinking straw. In still other embodiments, the drinking straw includes a laser marking additive and the marking is applied with a laser, such as described in the U.S. Pat. No. 9,746,380, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

In embodiments, the subject drinking straws include a proximal end and a distal end with walls therebetween that together form an inner channel within the drinking straw. In some embodiments, the outer walls of the drinking straw and inner channel have the same cross-sectional shape where cross-sectional shapes of interest include, but are not limited to curvilinear cross-sectional shapes, e.g., circles, ovals, rectilinear cross sectional shapes, e.g., squares, rectangles, trapezoids, triangles, hexagons, etc., as well as irregular shapes, e.g., a parabolic bottom portion coupled to a planar top portion. For example, both the outer walls of the drinking straw and the inner channel may have circular or oval cross sections or both the outer walls of the drinking straw and the inner channel may have polygonal (e.g., octagonal) cross sections. In other embodiments, the outer walls and inner channel of the drinking straw have different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., drinking straw having a polygonal cross-section and inner channel having a circular cross-section). In certain embodiments, the drinking straw is a tube and the cross-sectional shape the outer walls and the inner walls are both circular.

The length of the drinking straw may vary, where in some instances the length of the drinking straw may range from 1 cm to 25 cm, such as from 2.5 cm to 22.5 cm, such as from 5 cm to 20 cm, such as from 7.5 cm to 17.5 cm and including from 10 cm to 15 cm and the width of the drinking straw may range from 0.1 cm to 2 cm, such as from 0.2 cm to 1.9 cm, such as from 0.3 cm to 1.8 cm, such as from 0.4 cm to 1.7 cm and including from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. Where the inner cavity of the drinking straw has a cylindrical cross-section, the diameter may vary, in some embodiments, ranging from 0.1 cm to 2 cm, such as from 0.2 cm to 1.9 cm, such as from 0.3 cm to 1.8 cm, such as from 0.4 cm to 1.7 cm and including from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. Accordingly, the volume of the drinking straw may vary, ranging from 0.5 to 50 cm³, such as from 1 to 45 cm³, such as from 2 to 40 cm³, such as from 3 to 35 cm³, such as from 4 to 30 cm³ and including from 5 to 25 cm³. In some embodiments, the drinking straw is a tube having a volume ranging from 0.5 to 50 mL, such as from 1 to 45 mL, such as from 2 to 40 mL, such as from 3 to 35 mL, such as from 4 to 30 mL and including from 5 to 25 mL.

The drinking straw may be formed from any suitable plastic material including, but not limited to flexible or rigid plastic, polymeric or thermoplastic materials. For example, suitable polymeric plastics may include polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethanes, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, or copolymers of these thermoplastics, such as PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate), among other polymeric plastic materials. In certain embodiments, the drinking straw is formed from a polyester, where polyesters of interest may include, but are not limited to, housings made of poly(alkylene terephthalates) such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), bottle-grade PET (a copolymer made based on monoethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and other comonomers such as isophthalic acid, cyclohexene dimethanol, etc.), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), and poly(hexamethylene terephthalate); poly(alkylene adipates) such as poly(ethylene adipate), poly(1,4-butylene adipate), and poly(hexamethylene adipate); poly(alkylene suberates) such as poly(ethylene suberate); poly(alkylene sebacates) such as poly(ethylene sebacate); poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(β-propiolactone); poly(alkylene isophthalates) such as poly(ethylene isophthalate); poly(alkylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylates) such as poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylate); poly(alkylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoates) such as poly(ethylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoate); poly(p-phenylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(p-phenylene ethylene dicarboxylates); poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediylalkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediyl ethylene dicarboxylate); poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); lactic acid polymers and copolymers such as (S)-polylactide, (R,S)-polylactide, poly(tetramethylglycolide), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide); and polycarbonates of bisphenol A, 3,3′-dimethylbisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbisphenol A; polyamides such as poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide); Mylar™. In some embodiments, the drinking straw and the container lid are formed from the same type of plastic, such as polypropylene. In certain embodiments, the drinking straw and the container lid are from the same type of recyclable plastic, such as a recyclable polypropylene.

In some embodiments, drinking straws of interest are transparent. In other embodiments, drinking straws are translucent to visible light. In yet other embodiments, drinking straws are opaque to visible light. In still other embodiments, drinking straws of interest include two or more layers, such as three or more layers and including four or more layers. In these embodiments, each layer may be a different color (e.g., a differentially extruded colored layer) where in certain instances, a part of the layer may be removed to expose a contrasting color beneath the removed layer (e.g., by laser ablation) In some embodiments, drinking straws include a color change component, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,746,380, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

As summarized above, in some embodiments, drinking straws of interest include a fastener positioned between the proximal end and the distal end that is configured to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to a container lid when inserted through an orifice of the container lid. The drinking straw may include one or more fasteners, such as 2 or more fasteners, such as 3 or more fasteners, such as 5 or more fasteners, such as 10 or more fasteners and including 15 or more fasteners. Suitable fasteners may include, but are not limited to, latches, notches, countersinks, counter-bores, grooves and pins as well as combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the fastener is an interlocking fastener. For example, the fastener on the drinking straw may be configured to interlock with a fastener on the container lid. In other embodiments, the fastener on the drinking straw includes one or more notches. In yet other embodiments, the fastener on the drinking straw includes one or more grooves. In still other embodiments, the drinking straw includes a screw thread and the drinking straw is irreversibly attached to the container lid by screw threading the drinking straw into the orifice of the container lid.

In certain embodiments, the outer walls of the drinking straw include one or more ribs. For example, the outer walls of the drinking may include 2 or more ribs, such as 3 or more ribs, such as 5 or more ribs, such as 10 or more ribs and including 25 or more ribs. Each rib may extend along a length of the drinking straw by an amount that varies, such as extending along a length of the drinking straw by 10% or more, such as by 25% or more, such as by 50% or more, such as by 75% or more, such as by 90% or more and including extending entirely along the length of the walls of the drinking. Depending on the length of the drinking straw, each rib may have a width which varies, ranging from 0.1 mm to 10 mm, such as from 0.5 mm to 9.5 mm, such as from 1 mm to 9 mm, such as from 2 mm to 8 mm and including a width from 3 mm to 5 mm, occupying between (but not including) 0 and 100% of the outer surface area of the drinking straw, and a length ranging from 1% to 100% of the length of the drinking straw.

The size of each fastener may vary, where the width of each ranges in some instances from 0.1 mm to 20 mm, such as from 0.2 mm to 19 mm, such as from 0.3 mm to 18 mm, such as from 0.4 mm to 17 mm and including from 0.5 mm to 15 mm. The length of each fastener ranges from 0.1 mm to 20 mm, such as from 0.2 mm to 19 mm, such as from 0.3 mm to 18 mm, such as from 0.4 mm to 17 mm and including from 0.5 mm to 15 mm. Where the fastener is a hole, the depth of the hole may range from 0.1 mm to 20 mm, such as from 0.2 mm to 19 mm, such as from 0.3 mm to 18 mm, such as from 0.4 mm to 17 mm and including from 0.5 mm to 15 mm. Each fastener may have the same or different dimensions. In some embodiments, each fastener on the drinking straw is the same size. In other embodiments, each fastener on the drinking straw is a different size. In yet other embodiments, two or more fasteners are the same size and one or more fasteners have a different size.

In some embodiments, fasteners on the drinking straw are complementary to fasteners on the container lid. For example, where the fasteners on the drinking straw are pins, protrusions or ribs, the fasteners on the container lid are grooves or holes. In other embodiments, where the fasteners on the drinking straw are holes, grooves or notches, the fasteners on the container lids are pins or protrusions. As such, the drinking straw may include one or more fastening protrusion, fastening rail, fastening notch, fastening groove, fastening slot, fastening countersink, fastening counter-bore, fastening recess, fastening hole or a combination thereof. The shape of the fasteners may vary, where cross-sectional shapes of interest include, but are not limited to rectilinear cross sectional shapes, e.g., squares, rectangles, trapezoids, triangles, hexagons, etc., curvilinear cross-sectional shapes, e.g., circles, ovals, as well as irregular shapes, e.g., a parabolic bottom portion coupled to a planar top portion. In certain embodiments, the drinking straw includes holes that have rectilinear cross sectional shapes, e.g., squares, rectangles, trapezoids, triangles, hexagons, etc., curvilinear cross-sectional shapes, e.g., circles, ovals, as well as irregular shapes, e.g., a parabolic bottom portion coupled to a planar top portion. In one example, the drinking straw includes a fastening protrusion that has the shape of a cone. In still another example, the drinking straw includes a fastening protrusion that includes a distal barb. In another example, the drinking straw includes a fastening hole in that has a shape of a shallow cylinder. In yet other instances, the drinking straw includes a plurality of fastening holes that have the shape of cylinders, pyramids, cones or spheres.

The fasteners may be positioned at any location on the longitudinal axis from the distal end to the proximal of the drinking straw. For example, in some embodiments one or more fasteners are positioned from 0.1 cm to 20 cm from the proximal end of the drinking straw, such as from 0.2 cm to 19 cm, such as from 0.3 cm to 18 cm, such as from 0.4 cm to 17 cm and including from 0.5 cm to 15 cm from the proximal end of the drinking straw. In some embodiments, the fasteners are positioned midway between the proximal end and the distal end of the drinking straw. Where the drinking straw includes more than one fastener, the distance between each fastener may vary, being spaced apart by 2 mm or more, such as by 3 mm or more, such as by 5 mm or more, such as by 7 mm or more and including by 10 mm or more. Where the drinking straw includes three or more fasteners, the distance between each fastener around the drinking straw may be the same or different or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the distance between each fastener is different. In other embodiments, each fastener is spaced equidistant from each other. In certain embodiments, the drinking straw includes 4 fasteners that are positioned equidistantly spaced along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw.

The fasteners may also be spaced apart around the drinking straw at distances that are the same or different or a combination thereof, such as being spaced apart around the drinking straw by 2 mm or more, such as by 3 mm or more, such as by 5 mm or more, such as by 7 mm or more and including by 10 mm or more. In some embodiments, the fasteners are spaced apart around the drinking straw equidistantly. In other embodiments, the fasteners are spaced apart around the drinking draw by different distances. In yet other embodiments, the two or more fasteners are spaced apart equidistantly and two or more fasteners are spaced apart around the drinking straw by different distances.

The fasteners may be formed from any suitable plastic material including, but not limited to flexible or rigid plastic, polymeric or thermoplastic materials. For example, suitable polymeric plastics may include polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethanes, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, or copolymers of these thermoplastics, such as PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate), among other polymeric plastic materials. In certain embodiments, the fasteners on the drinking straw are formed from a polyester, where polyesters of interest may include, but are not limited to, housings made of poly(alkylene terephthalates) such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), bottle-grade PET (a copolymer made based on monoethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and other comonomers such as isophthalic acid, cyclohexene dimethanol, etc.), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), and poly(hexamethylene terephthalate); poly(alkylene adipates) such as poly(ethylene adipate), poly(1,4-butylene adipate), and poly(hexamethylene adipate); poly(alkylene suberates) such as poly(ethylene suberate); poly(alkylene sebacates) such as poly(ethylene sebacate); poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(β-propiolactone); poly(alkylene isophthalates) such as poly(ethylene isophthalate); poly(alkylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylates) such as poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylate); poly(alkylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoates) such as poly(ethylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoate); poly(p-phenylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(p-phenylene ethylene dicarboxylates); poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediylalkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediyl ethylene dicarboxylate); poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); lactic acid polymers and copolymers such as (S)-polylactide, (R,S)-polylactide, poly(tetramethylglycolide), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide); and polycarbonates of bisphenol A, 3,3′-dimethylbisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbisphenol A; polyamides such as poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide); Mylar™.

In some embodiments, the drinking straw and the fasteners are co-molded and formed from the same type of plastic, such as polypropylene. In other embodiments, the fasteners are coupled to the drinking straw. In these embodiments, any suitable coupling protocol may be employed, such as a temporary adhesive, semi-permanent adhesive or permanent adhesive. In some embodiments, the fasteners are adjustable and can be moved along the longitudinal axis from the proximal end to the distal end of the drinking straw such as moved by 1 mm or more, such as by 2 mm or more, such as by 3 mm or more, such as by 5 mm or more, such as by 10 mm or more, such as by 15 mm or more, such as by 25 mm or more and including where the fasteners are adjustable and can be moved along the longitudinal axis by 50 mm or more.

In some embodiments, the drinking straw includes one or more markings along the longitudinal axis between the proximal end and distal end to indicate a the distance necessary for inserting and irreversibly attaching the drinking straw to the container lid orifice. Depending on the length of the drinking straw, the markings may be positioned at 1 cm or more from the distal end of the drinking straw, such as 2 cm or more, such as 3 cm or more, such as 4 cm or more, such as 5 cm or more, such as 10 cm or more and including 15 cm or more from the distal end of the drinking straw. Where the drinking straw includes one or more fasteners, the marking may be positioned from 0.1 mm to 10 mm from the fasteners, such as 0.2 mm to 9 mm, such as from 0.3 mm to 8 mm, such as from 0.4 to 7 mm and including from 0.5 mm to 5 mm from the fasteners.

FIGS. 1A-1D depict examples of drinking straws having protruding fasteners for irreversibly attaching the drinking straw to a container lid according to certain embodiments. FIG. 1A depicts a drinking straw with sandwiching protrusion (101 a) fasteners. FIG. 1B depicts a drinking straw having spherical protrusion (101 b) fasteners. FIG. 1C depicts a drinking straw with a fastener having a barb (101 c). FIG. 1D depicts a drinking straw having a plurality of ribs (101 d) which are capable of interlocking with the container lid. FIGS. 1E and 1F depict drinking straws having recesses for attaching the drinking straw to a container lid. FIG. 1E depicts a drinking straw having circular recesses which can interlock with spherical protrusions in the container lid orifice walls. FIG. 1F depicts a drinking straw having peripheral grooves around the straw to couple with the walls of the container lid orifice.

In certain embodiments, the drinking straw is configured to become irreversibly attached to a container lid by deforming the container lid in a manner such that the drinking straw cannot be removed from the orifice. In some embodiments, the drinking straw becomes irreversibly attached to the orifice walls of the container lid when inserted. In some instances, the orifice in the container lid is deformed by inserting the drinking straw. By “deformed” is meant that the orifice changes one or more of the shape or size such that the shape or size of the orifice with the inserted drinking straw is different than the shape or size of the orifice before insertion of the drinking straw. In some embodiments, inserting the drinking straw deforms the orifice by increasing the width of the orifice, such as increasing the width of the orifice in the container lid by 0.1 mm or more, such as by 0.2 mm or more, such as by 0.3 mm or more, such as by 0.5 mm or more, such as by 1 mm or more and including by increasing the width of the orifice in the container lid by 1.5 mm or more. In these embodiments, inserting the drinking straw may increase the width of the orifice in the container lid by 1% or more, such as 2% or more, such as by 3% or more, such as by 5% or more, such as by 10% or more, such as by 25% or more and including by 50% or more.

In certain embodiments, the drinking straw is configured to be inserted into a container lid having a compliant orifice that cinches the inserted drinking straw such that the drinking straw becomes irreversibly attached to the container lid by resistive friction. In other words, the orifice is compliant to the extent of insertion of the drinking straw but resists the removal of the straw due to cinching of the drinking straw to the walls of the container lid orifice.

In some embodiments, inserting the drinking straw into the orifice of the container lid deforms the container lid. In some instances, inserting the drinking straw causes a planar surface of the container lid to increase in concavity. In other words, inserting the drinking straw pulls the planar surface of the container lid in the direction the drinking straw is inserted. For example, inserting the drinking straw into the orifice of the container lid may cause the planar surface of the container lid to exhibit an angle, such as angle of 1° or more, such as 2° or more, such as 3° or more, such as 5° or more, such as 10° or more, such as 15° or more, such as 20° or more, such as 25° or more, and including 30° or more.

In these embodiments, the drinking straw may have a width that is greater than the width of the orifice of the container lid, such as a width that is 0.1 or more, such as by 0.2 mm or more, such as by 0.3 mm or more, such as by 0.5 mm or more, such as by 1 mm or more and including 1.5 mm or more. In some embodiments, the width of the drinking straw is greater than the width of the orifice by 1% or more, such as 2% or more, such as by 3% or more, such as by 5% or more, such as by 10% or more, such as by 25% or more and including by 50% or more.

In embodiments, the container lid may be any type of cover for a container and may be a screw cap, a snap-on cap or a cap which connects the container by a permanent, semi-permanent or non-permanent adhesive. In certain instances, the cap forms a fluidic seal with the walls of the container. In some embodiments, the container lid is a cover for a beverage container, such as a fast-food restaurant beverage, a coffee cup or children's beverage cup.

The container lid may have one or more orifices, such as a single orifice, 2 or more orifices, 3 or more orifices, 4 or more orifices and including 5 or more orifices. The orifice may be any suitable shape, where cross-sectional shapes of orifices of interest include, but are not limited to: rectilinear cross sectional shapes, e.g., squares, rectangles, trapezoids, triangles, hexagons, etc., curvilinear cross-sectional shapes, e.g., circles, ovals, etc., as well as irregular shapes, e.g., a parabolic bottom portion coupled to a planar top portion. The dimensions of the orifice may vary, depending on the size of the drinking straw that will be inserted, in some embodiments ranging from 0.1 cm to 2 cm, such as from 0.2 cm to 1.9 cm, such as from 0.3 cm to 1.8 cm, such as from 0.4 cm to 1.7 cm and including from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. In some embodiments, the orifice is a circular orifice and the diameter ranges from 0.1 cm to 2 cm, such as from 0.2 cm to 1.9 cm, such as from 0.3 cm to 1.8 cm, such as from 0.4 cm to 1.7 cm and including from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. Accordingly, depending on the shape of the ports, ports in the cap may have an opening which ranges from 0.1 cm² to 5 cm², such as from 0.5 cm² to 4.5 cm², such as from 1 cm² to 4 cm² and including from 1.5 cm² to 3.5 cm².

The container lid may be formed from any suitable plastic material including, but not limited to flexible or rigid plastic, polymeric or thermoplastic materials. For example, suitable polymeric plastics may include polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethanes, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, or copolymers of these thermoplastics, such as PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate), among other polymeric plastic materials. In certain embodiments, the drinking straw is formed from a polyester, where polyesters of interest may include, but are not limited to, housings made of poly(alkylene terephthalates) such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), bottle-grade PET (a copolymer made based on monoethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and other comonomers such as isophthalic acid, cyclohexene dimethanol, etc.), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), and poly(hexamethylene terephthalate); poly(alkylene adipates) such as poly(ethylene adipate), poly(1,4-butylene adipate), and poly(hexamethylene adipate); poly(alkylene suberates) such as poly(ethylene suberate); poly(alkylene sebacates) such as poly(ethylene sebacate); poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(β-propiolactone); poly(alkylene isophthalates) such as poly(ethylene isophthalate); poly(alkylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylates) such as poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylate); poly(alkylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoates) such as poly(ethylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoate); poly(p-phenylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(p-phenylene ethylene dicarboxylates); poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediylalkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediyl ethylene dicarboxylate); poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); lactic acid polymers and copolymers such as (S)-polylactide, (R,S)-polylactide, poly(tetramethylglycolide), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide); and polycarbonates of bisphenol A, 3,3′-dimethylbisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbisphenol A; polyamides such as poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide); Mylar™.

In some embodiments, the container lid includes one or more fasteners. The container lid may include one or more fasteners, such as 2 or more fasteners, such as 3 or more fasteners, such as 5 or more fasteners, such as 10 or more fasteners and including 15 or more fasteners. Suitable fasteners may include, but are not limited to, latches, notches, countersinks, counter-bores, grooves and pins as well as combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the fastener is an interlocking fastener. For example, the fastener on the container may be configured to interlock with a fastener on the drinking straw. In other embodiments, the fastener on the container lid includes one or more notches.

In yet other emobdiments, the fastener on the container includes one or more grooves. In still other embodiments, the container lid is irreversibly attached to the drinking straw by screw threading the drinking straw into the orifice of the container lid.

Examples of cup lids having compliant fastening mechanisms with straws for irreversibly attaching a normal drinking straw to a container lid according to certain embodiments include, but are not limited to: complient narrow holes that sinche an inserted straw; profiled thermoformed lid holes that are compliant, but resistive lid holes that provide for initial straw entry and are narrowed to assist in in irreversibly sinching an inserted straw; textured thermoformed lid holes that allow entry of a straw inwardly to the how, yet resist reverse pull of the straw; barb fitted thermoformed lids that are compliant with symmetrically barb fitted creased straws; helically treaded thermoformed lids that are symmetrically consistent with a matched helical straw molding/thread that allow straws to be irreverisably rotated and inserted into a consumable lid—flex straw patterns can be utilized by way of example; thinned thermoformed lids holes that are die-cut in production and tapered for straw insertion but sinch irreversibly as the straw is irreversably pulled away from the lid; an undulated thicker or thinner extruded straw that tightly fits to a lid hole diameter where-by the straw can be inserted with force through the lid and remains securely in position when in the lid; physically embossed straws can include a dual or multiple concentric ring or node that matches and interdigitates with a thghtly fitted lid hole structure where by the inserted straw irreversibly or semi-irreversibly to the lid structure; and the like.

Spiral straw stripe patterns can be utilized through co-extrusion of a straw artcile such that the spiral pattern can be utilzed as a thread pattern for attaching to a compatbile threaded thermoformed lid-hole pattern. The straw can be easily inserted into the lid-hole by twisting and therefore results in the binding of the straw-lid combination. Pattern and pairing considerations between a threaded thermoformed lid-hole and a spiral striped straw can be uniquely designed to ensure utility and ease-of-use.

Other examples include: straws and lids made with like-kind resins that have co-adhesive characteristics providing for initial staw insertion into the lid, but irreversible straw displacement from the straw-lid pair; patterned thermoformed/die-cut lid holes including round, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nonagonal, or otherwise multi-sided, ribbed, serrated, patterned and otherwise cincheable hole patterns; combination ribbed/extruded straws that are symmetrically and irreversably connecting with a molded-die cut pattern; thermormed/die-cut hole patterns that when combined with a paper or plastic straw wrap, irreversibly bind to a straw that is inerted into a lid opening that sinches the straw to the lid provided the presence of the straw wrapper, tie-strip, strip-tie, “zip” tie, and other convenient/affdable consumer mechanisms to bind straws to lids such that the lid can be thermoformed with the appropriate recycling symbol and that the staw-lid pair is clearly indicated and accepted as a recycleable plastic article.

The size of each fastener on the container lid may vary, where the width of each ranges in some instances from 0.1 mm to 20 mm, such as from 0.2 mm to 19 mm, such as from 0.3 mm to 18 mm, such as from 0.4 mm to 17 mm and including from 0.5 mm to 15 mm. The length of each fastener ranges from 0.1 mm to 20 mm, such as from 0.2 mm to 19 mm, such as from 0.3 mm to 18 mm, such as from 0.4 mm to 17 mm and including from 0.5 mm to 15 mm. Where the fastener is a hole, the depth of the hole may range from 0.1 mm to 20 mm, such as from 0.2 mm to 19 mm, such as from 0.3 mm to 18 mm, such as from 0.4 mm to 17 mm and including from 0.5 mm to 15 mm. Each fastener may have the same or different dimensions. In some embodiments, each fastener on the container lid is the same size. In other embodiments, each fastener on the container lid is a different size. In yet other embodiments, two or more fasteners are the same size and one or more fasteners have a different size.

The fasteners on the container lid are positioned proximate to the container lid orifice. For example, in some embodiments one or more fasteners are positioned from 0.1 mm to 20 mm from the peripheral edge of orifice, such as from 0.2 mm to 19 mm, such as from 0.3 mm to 18 mm, such as from 0.4 mm to 17 mm and including from 0.5 mm to 15 mm from the peripheral edge of orifice. Where the container lid includes more than one fastener, the distance between each fastener around the peripheral edge of the orifice may vary, being spaced apart by 2 mm or more, such as by 3 mm or more, such as by 5 mm or more, such as by 7 mm or more and including by 10 mm or more. Where the drinking straw includes three or more fasteners, the distance between each fastener around the peripheral edge of the orifice may be the same or different or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the distance between each fastener is different. In other embodiments, each fastener is spaced equidistant from each other. In certain embodiments, the container lid includes 4 fasteners that are positioned equidistantly spaced around the peripheral edge of the container lid orifice.

The fasteners on the container lid may be formed from any suitable plastic material including, but not limited to flexible or rigid plastic, polymeric or thermoplastic materials. For example, suitable polymeric plastics may include polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethanes, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, or copolymers of these thermoplastics, such as PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate), among other polymeric plastic materials. In certain embodiments, the fasteners on the container lid are formed from a polyester, where polyesters of interest may include, but are not limited to, housings made of poly(alkylene terephthalates) such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), bottle-grade PET (a copolymer made based on monoethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and other comonomers such as isophthalic acid, cyclohexene dimethanol, etc.), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), and poly(hexamethylene terephthalate); poly(alkylene adipates) such as poly(ethylene adipate), poly(1,4-butylene adipate), and poly(hexamethylene adipate); poly(alkylene suberates) such as poly(ethylene suberate); poly(alkylene sebacates) such as poly(ethylene sebacate); poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(β-propiolactone); poly(alkylene isophthalates) such as poly(ethylene isophthalate); poly(alkylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylates) such as poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylate); poly(alkylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoates) such as poly(ethylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoate); poly(p-phenylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(p-phenylene ethylene dicarboxylates); poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediylalkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediyl ethylene dicarboxylate); poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); lactic acid polymers and copolymers such as (S)-polylactide, (R,S)-polylactide, poly(tetramethylglycolide), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide); and polycarbonates of bisphenol A, 3,3′-dimethylbisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbisphenol A; polyamides such as poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide); Mylar™.

In some embodiments, the fasteners are co-molded with the container lid and formed from the same type of plastic, such as polypropylene. In other embodiments, the fasteners are coupled to the container lid. In these embodiments, any suitable coupling protocol may be employed, such as a temporary adhesive, semi-permanent adhesive or permanent adhesive.

FIG. 2 depicts examples of container lids having fasteners for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw according to certain embodiments. FIG. 2A depicts a container lid having two triangular protrusions (201 a) which extend above the container lid surface that couples to fasteners on the drinking straw. FIG. 2B depicts a container lid having an orifice in which the walls have circular recesses (201 b). The circular recesses can interlock with spherical protrusions on the drinking straw to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid.

In certain embodiments, container lids of interest are configured to irreversibly attach to a container. In these embodiments, the drinking straw may be irreversibly attached to the container lid and the container lid irreversibly attached to the container to form a single integrated unit of a drinking straw, container lid and container. For example, each of the drinking straw, container lid and the container may be formed from the same material (e.g., a recyclable plastic) and one or more of the drinking straw, the container lid and the container may include a recyclable marking such that the single integrated unit of the drinking straw, container lid and container are recyclable. In one example, the drinking straw includes a marking indicating that the drinking straw is recyclable and is irreversibly attached to a container lid that is irreversibly attached to a container, such that the drinking straw-container lid-container single integrated unit is recyclable. In another example, the container lid includes a marking indicating that the container lid is recyclable and is irreversibly attached to a drinking straw and to a container, such that the drinking straw-container lid-container single integrated unit is recyclable. In still another example, the container includes a marking indicating that the container is recyclable and is irreversibly attached to a container lid with an irreversibly attached drinking straw, such that the drinking straw-container lid-container single integrated unit is recyclable.

In some embodiments, the container includes one or more fasteners for irreversibly attaching the container to the container lid. For example, the container may include 2 or more fasteners, such as 3 or more fasteners, such as 5 or more fasteners, such as 10 or more fasteners and including 15 or more fasteners. Suitable fasteners may include, but are not limited to, latches, notches, countersinks, counter-bores, grooves and pins as well as combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the fastener is an interlocking fastener. For example, a fastener on the container may be configured to interlock with a fastener on the container lid. In other embodiments, a fastener on the container straw includes one or more notches. In yet other embodiments, a fastener on the container includes one or more grooves. In still other embodiments, the container includes a screw thread and the container lid is irreversibly attached to the container by screw threading the container lid to the container.

In some embodiments, fasteners on the container are complementary to fasteners on the container lid. For example, where the fasteners on the container include one or more pins, protrusions or ribs and the fasteners on the container lid include one or more grooves or holes. In other embodiments, where the fasteners on the container are holes, grooves or notches, the fasteners on the container lids are pins or protrusions. In certain instances, the container may include one or more fastening protrusion, fastening rail, fastening notch, fastening groove, fastening slot, fastening countersink, fastening counter-bore, fastening recess, fastening hole or a combination thereof. The shape of the fasteners on the container may vary, where cross-sectional shapes of interest include, but are not limited to rectilinear cross sectional shapes, e.g., squares, rectangles, trapezoids, triangles, hexagons, etc., curvilinear cross-sectional shapes, e.g., circles, ovals, as well as irregular shapes, e.g., a parabolic bottom portion coupled to a planar top portion. In certain embodiments, the container includes holes for fastening to a container lid that have rectilinear cross sectional shapes, e.g., squares, rectangles, trapezoids, triangles, hexagons, etc., curvilinear cross-sectional shapes, e.g., circles, ovals, as well as irregular shapes, e.g., a parabolic bottom portion coupled to a planar top portion. In one example, the container includes a fastening protrusion that has the shape of a cone. In still another example, the container includes a fastening protrusion that includes a distal barb. In another example, the container includes a fastening hole in that has a shape of a shallow cylinder. In yet other instances, the container includes a plurality of fastening holes that have the shape of cylinders, pyramids, cones or spheres.

The fasteners may be positioned at any location along the proximal end (the opening) of the container. For example, in some embodiments one or more fasteners are positioned from 0.1 cm to 5 cm from the proximal end of the container, such as from 0.2 cm to 19 cm, such as from 0.3 cm to 18 cm, such as from 0.4 cm to 17 cm and including from 0.5 cm to 15 cm from the proximal end of the container. Where the container includes more than one fastener, the distance between each fastener may vary, being spaced apart by 2 mm or more, such as by 3 mm or more, such as by 5 mm or more, such as by 7 mm or more and including by 10 mm or more. Where the container includes three or more fasteners, the distance between each fastener around the proximal end of the container may be the same or different or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the distance between each fastener is different. In other embodiments, each fastener is spaced equidistant from each other. In certain embodiments, the container includes 4 fasteners that are positioned equidistantly spaced around the proximal end of the container.

In embodiments, the container may be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to flexible or rigid plastic, polymeric or thermoplastic materials. For example, suitable polymeric plastics may include polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethanes, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, or copolymers of these thermoplastics, such as PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate), among other polymeric plastic materials. In certain embodiments, the containers are formed from a polyester, where polyesters of interest may include, but are not limited to, housings made of poly(alkylene terephthalates) such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), bottle-grade PET (a copolymer made based on monoethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and other comonomers such as isophthalic acid, cyclohexene dimethanol, etc.), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), and poly(hexamethylene terephthalate); poly(alkylene adipates) such as poly(ethylene adipate), poly(1,4-butylene adipate), and poly(hexamethylene adipate); poly(alkylene suberates) such as poly(ethylene suberate); poly(alkylene sebacates) such as poly(ethylene sebacate); poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(β-propiolactone); poly(alkylene isophthalates) such as poly(ethylene isophthalate); poly(alkylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylates) such as poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylate); poly(alkylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoates) such as poly(ethylene sulfonyl-4,4′-dibenzoate); poly(p-phenylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(p-phenylene ethylene dicarboxylates); poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediylalkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexanediyl ethylene dicarboxylate); poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene alkylene dicarboxylates) such as poly([2.2.2]-bicyclooctane-1,4-dimethylene ethylene dicarboxylate); lactic acid polymers and copolymers such as (S)-polylactide, (R,S)-polylactide, poly(tetramethylglycolide), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide); and polycarbonates of bisphenol A, 3,3′-dimethylbisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetrachlorobisphenol A, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbisphenol A; polyamides such as poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide); Mylar™.

In some embodiments, the container and the drinking straw are formed from the same material, such as from polyethylene or polypropylene or some other recyclable plastic. In other embodiments, the container and the container lid are formed from the same material. In still other embodiments, the container, the container lid and the drinking straw are all formed from the same material.

Methods for Irreversibly Attaching a Drinking Straw to a Container Lid

Aspects of the present disclosure also include methods for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw to a container lid. Methods according to certain embodiments include inserting the drinking straw through an orifice of the container lid in a manner sufficient to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid. As discussed above, the phrase “irreversibly attached” is used herein to mean that the drinking straw cannot be freely detached and separated from the container lid. As such, in practicing methods of the present disclosure the drinking straw is inserted into an orifice of the container lid and becomes irreversibly attached to the container lid such that the combination of the container lid and the drinking straw form a single integrated unit.

In some embodiments, inserting the drinking straw into the container lid orifice deforms the container lid. In some instances, inserting the drinking straw into the container lid orifice deforms one or more of the shape or size of the orifice. In certain instances, methods include inserting a drinking straw that has a width that is greater than the width of the container lid orifice. For example, methods include inserting a drinking straw that has a width that is 0.1 mm or more greater than the width of the container lid orifice, such as 0.2 mm or more, such as 0.3 mm or more, such as 0.4 mm or more, such as 0.5 mm or more and including 1 mm or more greater than the width of the container lid orifice. In some embodiments, inserting a drinking straw having a greater width than the width of the container lid orifice causes an increase in the concavity of the container lid. In some instances, increasing the concavity of the container lid causes the planar surface of the container lid to exhibit an angle, such as angle of 1° or more, such as 2° or more, such as 3° or more, such as 5° or more, such as 10° or more, such as 15° or more, such as 20° or more, such as 25° or more, and including 30° or more.

FIG. 3 depicts a method for irreversibly attaching a drinking straw to a container lid according to certain embodiments. A drinking straw having a width that is greater than the width of the width of the container lid orifice is inserted. Inserting the drinking straw is sufficient to deform the container lid, causing a slight change in concavity of the container lid which fastens the drinking straw to the container lid.

As described above, drinking straws and container lids of interest may include one or more fasteners. In these embodiments, methods include inserting the drinking straw into the container lid orifice sufficient to engage the fastener so that the fastener obstructs the drinking straw from being removed from the container lid. In some embodiments, the drinking straw includes one or more protrusions and the container lid includes one or more holes and methods include inserting the drinking straw into the container lid orifice such that the protrusions couple with the holes and obstruct the drinking straw from being removed from the container lid. In other embodiments, the container lid orifice includes one or more protrusions and the drinking straw includes one or more notches and methods include inserting the drinking straw such that the protrusions of the container lid orifice couple with the notches in the drinking straw.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict methods for attaching a drinking straw to a container lid according to certain embodiments. FIG. 4A depicts inserting a drinking straw having a width that is greater than the width of the container lid orifice. Inserting the drinking straw is sufficient to deform the container lid (e.g., orifice) and prevent the drinking straw from being removed. In certain instances, the drinking straw becomes attached to the orifice walls. FIG. 4B depicts inserting a drinking straw having a pair of sandwiching fasteners which interlock with the container lid. When the drinking straw is inserted beyond the first fastener, the second fastener obstructs removal of the drinking straw from the container lid orifice.

In certain embodiments, irreversibly attaching the drinking straw to the container lid includes inserting the drinking straw to a first predetermined distance and retracting the drinking straw a second predetermined distance to attach the drinking straw to the container lid. For example, the drinking straw may include one or more fasteners, such as an interlocking fastener that is inserted a first predetermined distance through the container lid orifice and retracted a second predetermined distance to latch the interlocking fastener to the container lid, such as a complimentary interlocking fastener on the container lid. In another example, the drinking straw includes a protrusion such as a barb where the drinking straw is inserted a first predetermined distance through the container lid orifice and retracted a second predetermined distance to contact the protrusion (e.g., hook a barb) to the wall of the container lid orifice. In these embodiments, the first predetermined distance varies, depending on the length of the drinking straw and ranges from 1 cm to 25 cm, such as from 2 cm to 22.5 cm, such as from 3 cm to 20 cm, such as from 4 cm to 17.5 cm and including from 5 cm to 15 cm. The second predetermined distance that the drinking straw is retracted to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid also varies and ranges from 0.5 cm to 10 cm, such as from 1 cm to 9 cm, such as from 2 cm to 8 cm and including from 3 cm to 6 cm.

In certain embodiments, the one or more fasteners on the drinking straw are adjustable (e.g., can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw) and methods include adjusting the position of the fastener and re-positioning the drinking straw to the adjusted position of the fastener. In some instances, the position of the fasteners are adjusted from the proximal end to the distal end by 1 mm or more, such as by 2 mm or more, such as by 3 mm or more, such as by 5 mm or more, such as by 10 mm or more, such as by 15 mm or more, such as by 25 mm or more and including by 50 mm or more. In other instances, the position of the fasteners are adjusted from the distal end to the proximal end by 1 mm or more, such as by 2 mm or more, such as by 3 mm or more, such as by 5 mm or more, such as by 10 mm or more, such as by 15 mm or more, such as by 25 mm or more and including by 50 mm or more.

Methods for Marking a Drinking Straw

Aspects of the present disclosure also include methods for marking a drinking straw, such as with an identifier. In some embodiments, methods include marking the drinking straw with an identifier that the drinking straw is biodegradable. In other embodiments, methods include marking the drinking straw with an identifier that the drinking straw is compostable. In yet other embodiments, methods include marking the drinking straw with an identifier that the drinking straw is recyclable. In still other embodiments, methods include marking the drinking straw with an identifier indicative of the material that the drinking straw is formed from, such as an identifier of the type of plastic (e.g., polypropylene or polyethylene) that is used to form the drinking straw.

In some embodiments, methods include embossing or debossing a marking onto the drinking straw. The terms “embossing” and “debossing” are used herein in their conventional sense to refer to the process of creating a raised or recessed image in the drinking straw. In some embodiments, methods include embossing a marking onto the drinking straw where the marking is raised against the outer surface of the drinking straw. In other embodiments, methods include debossing a marking onto the drinking straw where the marking is sunken into the outer surface of the drinking straw.

In some embodiments, the drinking straw is inserted onto a rod and pressure is applied to the straw to emboss or deboss the marking onto the outer surface of the drinking straw. In some instances, the rod includes one or more raised images and applying pressure to the straw is sufficient to emboss the marking onto the outer surface of the drinking straw. In other instances, the rod includes one or more recessed images and applying pressure to the straw is sufficient to deboss the marking onto the outer surface of the drinking straw.

Depending on the thickness and material used to form the drinking straw, the amount of pressure applied to emboss or deboss the drinking straw varies, such as applying a pressure of 0.1 psi or more, such as 0.5 psi or more, such as 1 psi or more, such as 2 psi or more, such as 5 psi or more, such as 10 psi or more, such as 15 psi or more, such as 20 psi or more, such as 25 psi or more, such as 50 psi or more, such as 100 psi or more, such as 250 psi or more, such as 500 psi or more and including applying a pressure of 1000 psi or more to emboss or deboss the marking onto the drinking straw.

Heat may be applied while marking the drinking straw, such as by heating the rod or embossing surface. The amount of heat applied may vary, such as where the temperature of the drinking straw is raised by 0.5° C. or more, such as 1° C. or more, such as 2° C. or more, such as 3° C. or more, such as 5° C. or more, such as 10° C. or more, such as 15° C. or more, such as 25° C. or more, such as 50° C. or more, such as 75° C. or more and including raising the temperature by 100° C. or more. In some embodiments, heat is applied sufficient to partially melt the drinking straw, such as where the heat applied to the drinking straw is 15° C. or less from the melting point of the drinking straw, such as 10° C. or less, such as 5° C. or less, such as 3° C. or less, such as 2° C. or less, such as 1° C. or less, such as 0.5° C. or less and including applying heat that is 0.1° C. or less from the melting temperature of the drinking straw.

One or more of the heat or pressure may be applied to the drinking straw for any suitable duration, such as where the heat or pressure is applied for a duration of from 1 μs to 10 seconds, such as from 5 μs to 9.5 seconds, such as from 10 μs to 9 seconds, such as from 25 μs to 8.5 seconds, such as from 50 μs to 8 seconds and including from 100 μs to 5 seconds.

FIG. 5 depicts marking the outer surface of a drinking straw according to certain embodiments. In this embodiment, the image of a recycle sign is debossed into the outer surface of the drinking straw to form a sunken image of the recycle sign on the drinking straw. The drinking straw is placed onto a stand with a rod inserted into the internal channel of the drinking straw (not shown) and pressure is applied with debossing mold.

The marking may be embossed or debossed at any position along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw, such as 1 mm or more from the proximal end or distal end of the drinking straw, such as 2 mm or more, such as 3 mm or more, such as 5 mm or more, such as 10 mm or more, such as 15 mm or more, such as 20 mm or more, such as 30 mm or more, such as 40 mm or more and including 50 mm or more from the proximal end or distal end of the drinking straw. In some embodiments, the marking is embossed or debossed along the midline between proximal end and distal end of the drinking straw. In still other embodiments, the marking is embossed or debossed 1 mm or more from the midline of the drinking straw, such as 2 mm or more, such as 3 mm or more, such as 5 mm or more, such as 10 mm or more, such as 15 mm or more, such as 20 mm or more, such as 30 mm or more, such as 40 mm or more and including 50 mm or more from the midline of the drinking straw.

In certain embodiments, methods include marking the drinking straw by ablating the surface of the drinking straw, such as with a laser to remove an outer extruded layer to expose an inner extruded layer that has a contrasting color. A convenient ablating protocol may be employed, such as from example using a laser (e.g., a CO₂ laser). In these embodiments, drinking straws of interest may include two or more layers, such as three or more layers and including four or more layers. Each layer may be a different color (e.g., a differentially extruded colored layer) where in certain instances, a part of the layer may be removed to expose a contrasting color beneath the removed layer (e.g., by laser ablation) In some embodiments, drinking straws include a color change component, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,746,380, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Kits

Aspects of the invention further include kits, where kits include one or more container lids having an orifice and a drinking straw that is configured to irreversibly attach to the container lid when inserted through the orifice of the container lid, e.g., as described herein. In some embodiments, kits also include one or more fasteners, such as for attaching to one or more of the drinking straw or container lids. For example, fasteners which may be included in the subject kits may be protrusions (e.g., barbs) or interlocking latches.

The various components of the kits may be present in separate containers, or some or all of them may be pre-combined. For example, in some instances, the components of the kit, e.g., the container lid and drinking straw, are present in a sealed pouch, bag or envelope.

In addition to the above components, the subject kits may further include (in certain embodiments) instructions for practicing the subject methods. For example, instructions for inserting the drinking straw into the container lid orifice to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid may be present as printed information (e.g., a printed leaflet). In certain embodiments, the kits include instructions for recycling the container lid with attached drinking straw, such as providing the location of recycling facilities or collecton sites which process the container lid with attached drinking straw unit.

Utility

The subject irreversibly attachable drinking straws and complementary container lids find use where it is desirable to produce recyclable drinking straw. By irreversibly coupling the drinking straw to the container lid, a fully recyclable unit is produced and any appropriate recycle symbol on the container lid is applied to the attached drinking straw. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use where it is desirable to provide a drinking straw that can be recycled by conventional processing (e.g., shredding, pulverizing and melting) to produce a reusable plastic composition. By irreversibly attaching the drinking straws to the container lid and recycling the combined unit, the amount of plastic that enters the environment as pollution can be reduced, mitigating their long lasting negative environmental impact.

In at least some of the previously described embodiments, one or more elements used in an embodiment can interchangeably be used in another embodiment unless such a replacement is not technically feasible. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various other omissions, additions and modifications may be made to the methods and structures described above without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. All such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the subject matter, as defined by the appended claims.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 articles refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 articles. Similarly, a group having 1-5 articles refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 articles, and so forth.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

Accordingly, the preceding merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.

The scope of the present invention, therefore, is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Rather, the scope and spirit of present invention is embodied by the appended claims. In the claims, 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) or 35 U.S.C. § 112(6) is expressly defined as being invoked for a limitation in the claim only when the exact phrase “means for” or the exact phrase “step for” is recited at the beginning of such limitation in the claim; if such exact phrase is not used in a limitation in the claim, then 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) or 35 U.S.C. § 112(6) is not invoked. 

1. A drinking straw configured to irreversibly attach to a container lid when inserted through an orifice of the container lid.
 2. The drinking straw according to claim 1, wherein the drinking straw comprises: a proximal end; a distal end; and a fastener between the proximal end and the distal end that is configured to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid.
 3. The drinking straw according to claim 1, wherein the container lid and drinking straw are formed from a plastic.
 4. The drinking straw according to claim 3, wherein the container lid and drinking straw are formed from the same type of plastic. 5-6. (canceled)
 7. The drinking straw according to claim 2, wherein the fastener is an interlocking fastener.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The drinking straw according to claim 2, wherein the drinking straw comprises one or more grooves or notches.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The drinking straw according to claim 2, wherein the drinking straw comprises a screw thread.
 12. The drinking straw according to claim 2, wherein the fastener is positioned from 2 cm to 10 cm from the proximal end.
 13. The drinking straw according to claim 1, further comprising one or more markings for positioning the drinking straw in the container.
 14. The drinking straw according to claim 2, wherein the fastener is co-molded with the drinking straw.
 15. The drinking straw according to claim 2, wherein the position of the fastener is adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw between the proximal end and distal end.
 16. The drinking straw according to claim 1, wherein the drinking straw is configured to deform the container lid when inserted through the orifice of the container lid.
 17. The drinking straw according to claim 16, wherein the drinking straw deforms the shape of the orifice of the container lid.
 18. The drinking straw according to claim 16, wherein the drinking straw increases the width the orifice of the container lid.
 19. The drinking straw according to claim 1, wherein the drinking straw is configured to irreversibly attach to the orifice walls of the container lid.
 20. The drinking straw according to claim 1, wherein the width of the drinking straw is greater than the width of the orifice in the container lid.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The drinking straw according to claim 1, further comprising a marking. 23-24. (canceled)
 25. A method comprising inserting a drinking straw through an orifice of a container lid in a manner sufficient to irreversibly attach the drinking straw to the container lid. 26-39. (canceled)
 40. A kit comprising: a container lid having an orifice; and a drinking straw that is configured to irreversibly attach to the container lid when inserted through the orifice of the container lid. 41-47. 